Operation Spicer public inquiry resumes Wednesday 6 August 2014

Monday 28 July 2014

The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)'s Operation Spicer public inquiry will resume on Wednesday 6 August 2014 at 10:00 am.

This segment of the public inquiry will focus on corruption allegations involving the circumstances in which the 2011 state election campaign for the seat of Newcastle was funded by the Liberal Party, and whether funds were solicited and received from prohibited donors, including Buildev Pty Ltd, Nathan Tinkler, Jeff McCloy, Hilton Grugeon and other persons and companies associated with them.

This segment will also examine whether members of Parliament (MPs), including Christopher Hartcher and Michael Gallacher MLC, solicited and received donations from prohibited donors for use in the Liberal Party 2011 state election campaign, including in the seat of Newcastle, and whether parties and persons, including Buildev Pty Lyd, Mr Tinkler, Darren Williams, David Sharpe, Mr McCloy and Mr Grugeon improperly sought to influence certain MPs by making donations during the 2011 state election campaign.

The Commission is also examining whether MPs, including Mr Hartcher and Mr Gallacher, used or attempted to use their power and influence improperly to confer, or attempt to confer, benefits upon donors to the Liberal Party in the 2011 state election campaign.

Further, the ICAC is investigating the circumstances in which two campaigns were conducted against the sitting member for Newcastle, Jodi McKay MP, including the publication and distribution of misleading information, and whether certain persons were involved in organising, or attempting to organise, and/or funding those campaigns, including Joseph Tripodi MP, Anne Wills, Mr Tinkler, Mr Williams, Mr Sharpe and members of the Newcastle Alliance.

Other allegations include whether MPs, including Mr Tripodi, used or attempted to use their power and influence either to improperly confer benefits, or attempt to improperly confer benefits, upon certain parties and persons, including Buildev Pty Ltd, Mr Tinkler, Mr Williams and Mr Sharpe, in respect of proposed coal terminal development at the Port of Newcastle.

The Commission is also investigating whether members or associates of the Liberal Party used, or attempted to use, the Free Enterprise Foundation as a means of receiving and disguising donations from prohibited donors in the lead up to the 2011 state election campaign. It is also examining whether certain companies and persons, including Buildev Pty Ltd, Boardwalk Resources Pty Ltd, Mr Tinkler, Mr Williams, Mr Sharpe and Troy Palmer used, or attempted to use, the Free Enterprise Foundation as a means of making donations to the Liberal Party with the intention of attempting to improperly influence certain members of Parliament.

The ICAC Commissioner, the Hon Megan Latham, will continue to preside at the public inquiry, which has been set down for at least three weeks and will be held in the ICAC hearing room on level 7, 133 Castlereagh Street, Sydney. Counsel Assisting the Commission are Mr Geoffrey Watson SC and Mr Greg O'Mahoney. A witness list for the first week of the public inquiry will be published prior to the commencement of the public inquiry, which will begin with an opening address by Counsel Assisting.